Postdoctoral Researcher in History of International Law and Colonial Legal History at Tilburg University Tilburg University in Netherlands

Tilburg University / Tilburg Law School is advertising a postdoctoral researcher position in international legal history, focused on the project Self-Determination and Recognition: The Colonial Constitution of the Independent Congolese State. The project is based in the Department of Public Law and Governance and examines the colonial and decolonial history of Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, and Congolese independence through the lenses of international law, constitutional theory, legal philosophy, and postcolonial studies.

The successful candidate will conduct archival and historical research on the political, constitutional, diplomatic, and international legal processes surrounding colonial sovereignty, international recognition, and the transition to independence. The role includes integrating historical findings into the broader theoretical framework, co-authoring at least one peer-reviewed article with the principal investigator, helping organize an international interdisciplinary conference in February 2027, and contributing to the intellectual life of the department and the Global Law and Governance research program.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD in legal history or a related discipline; strong publication record; demonstrated expertise in colonial rule and decolonisation in Africa; interest in the Congolese colonial/postcolonial context is highly desirable; and C1-level English plus C1-level French reading comprehension. The position is intended for a collaborative senior researcher who can work independently in an interdisciplinary environment.

Funding and contract: 18 months full-time (1 FTE / 40 hours per week), with a gross monthly salary of €4,728–€6,433 depending on experience. Tilburg University also mentions vacation pay, year-end bonus, vacation leave, hybrid working allowances, and other employment benefits.

Application window: apply online by 2026-07-27. The selection process includes a shortlist decision by 2026-08-10 and interviews on 2026-08-20. The intended start date is 2026-10-01.

How to apply: submit a motivation letter, research statement, academic CV with two referees, and a writing sample through the HR portal. Email applications are not accepted.